OP- I am curious what section of CSR you were in? Our first night we arrived really late and were put into a a far away ranchos room facing the road. We did not like that section and were able to move to cabanas the next morning. I think room location can really affect how much you like a resort.
We stayed at Cabanas. We were the closest walk to the bus stop that you could possibly have, which is why we were saying that this was the best possible scenario we could have had at this resort, so we won't be returning. We were Cabanas building 8B I think it was, and our room was directly on the first sidewalk that goes to the building...so literally the closest room walking wise. Yes, we had a parking lot view as well, but that's what we wanted because of my knee issues. The bus situation was by far the best we've had at any resort since it was a shorter walk than ever...however the system in itself was what was messed up. I'm sure bus experiences are different every time.
I find that CSR is a love-it-or-hate-it resort. I personally love CSR! It has nice spacious rooms, and the food court is by far the best for only one quick service credit. It feels like a deluxe.
Also, with the bus service, its pretty random at any resort depending on the day. What I like to do at CSR is stay at Cabanas. It is bus stop #4, but with the way the buses usually work at CSR, its really the third stop. The buses go 2, 3, 4, 1. So its great if youre at stop #4 because if you want to go to the food court you can get on any bus and they'll take you to stop #1! Also cabanas has a pathway directly to the main pool in the back in addition to their own smaller pool.
The "take a bus from stop 4 to 1" was my idea for a while, too. Until we accidently got on a DTD bus that doesn't have the same route as all the other buses. Yeah, the sign at the bus stop says "Theme Park buses will go to stop 1" so maybe it's my stupidity not reading between the lines that DTD isn't a theme park bus, and that's a mistake I only made once, but still, we lost a lot of time going that far and back (having to then get off at DTD because the bus didn't return to CSR). It wasn't something that was hard to do. Then we got on the internal bus another time, where the driver told us after we left "I'm going to Blizzard Beach to switch drivers for my break, he'll bring you back to stop 1. It's not far, so just enjoy the ride. It's better than waiting out at the stop." We were literally the only two people on the bus, at like 9pm. It was annoying. Both those experiences left bad tastes in our mouth even though I hold part of the blame to myself for not asking what route the buses were on...but I've never had to do that at any other resort.
Oh, I totally agree it's love it or hate it. I think my parents would absolutely love it. Anyone who likes staying at nice, clean hotels with beautiful grounds would love it...but in my opinion, all of that could have been experienced offsite for less. We stayed at a Disney resort because we wanted the Disney level of themeing that only they provide. Instead, we got Universal's level of themeing. It felt fake, to me. I can't explain it. I've been to Hawaii, and Poly makes you feel like you really are no where near Florida...like you really are in Hawaii. I've stayed in the Hotel del Coronado, Grand Floridian makes you feel like you in a resort of that level...and not just a hotel with themeing. That's comparing a Deluxe to a moderate, I know that's unfair. That's why I compared values, as well.
Art of Animation's themeing doesn't get us because of giant statues and cartoons. Art of Animation gets us because it takes you into the world of animation, I love how they did that. The landscape paintings in Landscape of Flavors are great, the Ink and Paint shop is neat, we love Animation Hall. Love the sketches on the wall and how they turn into the iconic films we all know and love. I love how the Lion King area takes you down to the size of young Simba, to see the world of the Lion King as he would. Mermaid takes you to the size of Sebastian to see the world under the sea as he would. I just think the themeing was awesome there and just spot on. It felt like it had such life.
Pop Century's themeing didn't get me the same way. I didn't like the stapled on larger than life themeing. And, I'm not into the oldies theme, just not my thing. However, the resort still had the "life" that I expect from Disney resorts. The CMs are great, the attitudes are great, and though the themeing isn't my style, it did add something to the resort. I never once felt that I was staying offsite. The layout was great, the lobby was central...you left the resort from the lobby and returned there when you were back from the parks. You pass the concierge, the food court, the gift shop, and main pool every day. And yeah, at this resort, I did enjoy the giant statues, the ones of iconic characters anyway. The larger-than-life Lady and the Tramp is really what got us into the resort. We remember those films from our childhood, and it was just impossible for them not to put smiles on our faces. I understand that's not for everyone, but if we wanted a quiet, calm, relaxing vacation, we would go to the Caribbean and not Disney...but that's just us. We want resorts that either immerse us in a different culture, or at least a resort that is fun and keeps us immersed in the World of Disney and smiles on our faces. Coronado didn't succeed in either, we just felt that we paid for more than we got.
Once again, I would never suggest that this resort just sucks and should be done away with. I could totally understand how people would love it, it's just definitely not for us. A really major thing was the layout. I guess that's just a result of the size (which we knew of in advance, so maybe it's our fault). I never felt like it had a central area, and neither did the CMs apparently since they told us "You have no reason to come back to this area after you check in." We like feeling like we're in a resort. And to us, that means having a central area where events take place, food, giftshops, etc are. Instead, we got a hotel, where any walk through the main lobby was a long, out of the way walk by an empty lake with nothing to remind you what you're paying Disney price for.
Here's my issue with Pepper Market. It has nothing to do with the food. The steak and cheese hoagie I got there was quite possibly the best I have ever had in my life. I just don't get stamping the card, it feels pointless and forced. And because of it, you're caged in this food court like you're eating in a prison cafeteria. At Landscape of Flavors at a value or at Captain Cook's at a deluxe, I can get my food and go eat outside to enjoy the warm Florida weather (since there's an ice storm going on at home) and enjoy the beautiful grounds of this resort. Instead, we're caged inside. The grounds can't be taken advantage of. There's no reason to be there. There are no fireworks to view at night, no pool to sit by unless you walk across the resort to the main pool that is hidden away by privacy trees...or the small unthemed pools by a couple buildings. There are no boats or jet skis to go on the lake on. There is literally nothing keeping me near the lobby. It's a bar with a view of a standing water lake and the rest of the rooms of the resort. Most QS places at resorts I've been to have also had easy quick access where you can grab food and take it to the room. Instead, this was out of the way, and just didn't seem as convenient...though I did like that there was an open bar there.
whew, this was long.
